BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – Cheyenne North turned in a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double, Kylie Ladd and Lyrik Williams added 13 points apiece, while Jacie Higgins turned in 11 points as the Arkansas Tech Golden Suns basketball team (24-3) held on for a 68-64 win over East Central (10-17) in the opening round of the 2018 Great American Conference basketball tournament on Thursday.

NEXT UP
The Golden Suns play the winner of tomorrow's Ouachita Baptist/Henderson State quarterfinal in a semifinal matchup at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 3.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Tech opened the game on an 8-0 run. The eight-point lead would be Tech's largest lead of the game.
• ECU pulled to within three (10-7) with 4:24 to play in the opening quarter before the Golden Suns carried a five-point (12-7) advantage into the second quarter.
• The Tigers scored the first six points of the third quarter to claim their first lead of the contest, 13-12, with 6:46 to go in the half.
• ECU twice claimed a two-point advantage, last 18-16 at the 5:07 mark of the quarter, but the Golden Suns finished the half strong and carried a five-point (27-22) lead into halftime.
• The opening moments of the third quarter belonged to Tech, as the Golden Suns opened up a four-point (29-25) advantage just 90 seconds into the half.
• ECU reversed the momentum, and the two teams traded leads before the Golden Suns were able to push ahead again, claiming a six-point (42-36) lead with 3:16 to play in the quarter.
• Again, ECU rallied to claim a lead late in the quarter on a Tia Williams layup with 30 seconds to play, but once more the Golden Suns quickly reclaimed the lead on a pair of Ladd free throws with four seconds to play in the quarter.
• The Golden Suns stretched out a six-point lead with 7:49 remaining, and while ECU was able to pull to within two twice down the stretch, they were unable to close the gap further as Tech held on for the win.

NOTABLES

• The two teams shot an identical 33.9 percent from the floor for the game.
• Tech held a 46-39 rebounding advantage.
• Both teams committed just 11 turnovers.
• Tech was 26-of-30 from the foul line.
• Williams added 11 boards to turn in a double-double.
• The Golden Suns held a 17-11 advantage in points off turnovers, a 13-9 advantage in second-chance points, a 30-20 lead in paint points, and a 4-0 advantage in fast-break points.